Pharo breaks Jacklin's record

Hawkstone Park's course record, set by former Open Championship winner Tony Jacklin, has been smashed by rising Shropshire star Ricky Pharo.

The professional course record of 65 was held by Jacklin while Shropshire & Herefordshire skipper Nigel Chesters held the same amateur mark before Pharo shot a superb 10 under par 62 in Sunday's monthly medal.

Club secretary Tony Harrop confirmed the new record of 62 saying: "We are all thrilled for him. The amateur record was set on the Hawkstone course by Nigel Chesters in 2001."

"Ricky is a very nice young man and a keen golfer and his handicap will come down as a result of this."

"It was just one of those days," said S&H squad member Pharo who plays off a handicap of one.

Front nine

"I played with Ryan Wainwright and we teed off at 7.30am. The conditions were perfect as there was not much wind. I hit every fairway and holed a lot of putts and chipped in twice."

Pharo shot 29 on the front nine which is six under par.

He continued: "I was eight under after 12 and it was then I started thinking about the record which I knew was seven under.

"I finished with 10 birdies and no bogeys. At first I thought I had just beaten Nigel's record, but to beat Jacklin as well by three shots, I'm pretty chuffed."

The 20-year-old has just finished his second year at Lincoln University where he is studying golf development and coaching. Next year he is president of the university golf society.

Pharo and club mate Ashley Chesters head for Kent next week for the English Amateur championships, along with Jonathan Gidney of Church Stretton.

By JOHN HINDMARCH